"Cracking job" at Hilsea Lido as contractors work over Christmas to add racing lines to pool

After more than a year of ongoing work at Hilsea Lido, another major milestone has been achieved over the festive period.

A spokesperson for the Portsmouth City Council said: “The contractors worked over the Christmas break and they've done a cracking job adding the racing lines to our lovely pool. With the way the pool dips in the middle this was not an easy job, but it looks awesome.

“There is a tiny little bit more painting to do in the lagoons but then we can move on to the next stage.”

Once the paint has cured, the team will start taking the protective tent down before landscaping and completing the finishing touches.

When complete, the £7.75m scheme, paid for by the Levelling Up Fund, will create new changing rooms, benches, tables, fountain and a fully functioning pool, as well as a sauna introduced by the new operators - Sea Lanes Brighton.

Hilsea Lido is expected to open next spring with Sea Lanes Brighton looking at offering a full programme of classes and events.

Harry Smith, director at Sea Lanes, previously said: “We are so excited to start this adventure at the lido - we are going to be working on two phases.

“We will be building on what we already have so we will introduce a sauna to compliment the cold water swimming and there will also be food and beverages as well, so it really can be a destination.”